4.5 stars
Loved this book. The pithy writing, ripe with clever word-turns and emotion charged annoyance that felt right for the story and the time. The characters felt well developed, and even the contemptable Miss Frask was endeering by the end.
The only reason that this didn't get the full 5 stars is that I felt the ending was not quite fulfilling as I had hoped. Still, I would read just about anything this author released next (and I hope she has another book coming soon). You can tell this author has a way with words!